First Impressions: Wilco, The Mars Volta, The Phenomenal Handclap Band

"You Never Know" / Wilco

Jeff Tweedy and company are back with the first song off their new album - Wilco, The Album. Tweedy sings "I don't care anymore" to the perpetual generational ramblings proclaiming the end of the world is nigh. Instead, the band channel George Harrison - hell, the song sounds like a Travelling Wilburys' jam session minus the other four guys- with the result being the logical continuation of Sky Blue Sky's laid-back, summery vibe.

Tetrahedron / The Mars Volta

This is the album that will finally break The Mars Volta to the masses!!! No more muddled progged-out sonic experimentation, just straight forward, concisely written rock songs that are destined for future Guitar Hero and Rock Band installations. What you just read is exactly how a review of Tetrahedron would have started had it come out on April 1st. As it's nearing the official start of summer, the first two sentences come about two-and-a-half months too late.

All things considered, The Mars Volta actually have mellowed out a bit. There are still moments of speed-noodling and headache-inducing lyricism, but Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Cedric Bixler, and their interstellar assortment of musicians do gain a bit of focus on Tetrahedron - none of the songs run over nine minutes. "Teflon" sounds like a single waiting to drop and first single, "Since We've Been Wrong," is one of several slowed down, borderline emotional songs on the album.

Tetrahedron won't likely convert the uninitiated to the band, but should appease its faithful fanbase until their next output - quite possibly before the end of the year as the uber-prolific Rodriguez-Lopez tends to release "solo" albums featuring other band members several times a year.

You'll Disappear / The Phenomenal Handclap Band

Close your eyes and imagine polyester and mirror balls. Let the music transport you back to the Seventies where Disco was king, Donna Summer was queen, and the Village People were on top of the world. Thankfully, "You'll Disappear" is a jam that emulates the spirit of disco and not the dated sound of the once-dominant genre. And yes, the song is full of feel-good hand claps the band's moniker suggests. Expect to see this one on this Friday's Mixtape for sure.